Tate High athletic director arrested for larceny, fraud

Tate High Athletic Director Mitch Ashford won’t face disciplinary action from the Escambia County School District despite being arrested this week on charges of larceny and fraud.

Ashford was arrested Wednesday morning by the Santa Rosa Sheriff’s Office, who executed a warrant on behalf of Escambia County. It was the third time in four years that Ashford has been arrested on various charges related to contracting work.

The latest charges are for “larceny of more than $20,000 but less than $100,000, fraud/swindle to obtain property of $50,000 or more and mortgage fraud,” according to his arrest report. Ashford posted $45,000 bond and was released from jail the same day as his arrest.

Ashford did not return multiple requests for comment.

“We had our attorneys look at it, it’s a civil matter that is not connected to the students or the school district,” said Escambia County School Superintendent Malcolm Thomas. “From what I can see, it’s a non-disqualifying offense.

“The only way I can suspend an employee is if the offense is a disqualifier. Those (disqualifying offenses) are typically things that would have an impact on students ... like drug charges, violent offenses and things of that nature. If we think the offense poses any risk to the students, we don’t hesitate on that (suspension and/or termination).”

In 2016, the State Attorney’s office charged Ashford with “unlawfully engaging in the business or act in the capacity of a contractor without having been duly registered with or certified by the Florida Construction Licensing Board, in violation of Section 489.127.” Similar charges were filed in 2014.

“In his previous arrests, the charges were dismissed or settled somehow,” Thomas said. “I don’t know if it’s coming back at (Ashford) again. That’s for him and his attorney to figure out.”